Evanescence’s Fall From Grace

Band's album pulled from Christian music outlets as controversy rages over their religious beliefs

As Evanescence slammed into the UK singles chart with ‘Bring Me To Life‘, the band were reeling from the recall of their album ‘Fallen‘ from Christian music stores and radio stations across the US.

The Christian music community in America was up in arms because of a recent interview where the band distanced themselves from any kind of religious affiliation – despite initially igniting interest because of their spiritual beliefs.

“There are people that are hell-bent on the idea that we’re a Christian band in disguise, and that we have some secret message”, singer Amy Lee told Entertainment Weekly magazine. “We have no spiritual affiliation with this music. It’s simply about life experience. I guarantee that if the Christian bookstore owners listened to some of those songs, they wouldn’t sell the CD”.

Bandmate Ben Moody added: “I’m not ashamed of my spiritual beliefs, but in no way incorporate them into this band. We’re actually high on the Christian charts, and I’m like, ‘What the fuck are we even doing there?”.

Following the interview, some Christian companies refused to run any advertising and endorsement connected to Evanescence.

The band’s record label promptly pulled ‘Fallen‘ from thousands of religious stores across the US.

Wind-up Records Chairman Alan Metzer, who gave the recall order, explained: “Recent statements by band members have made it abundantly clear that Evanescence is a secular band, and as such view their music as entertainment.” He added: “The decision to release ‘Fallen’ into the Christian market was made subsequent to discussions with and approval by the artist. Obviously the band has had a change in their perspective”.

Moody, however, remains perplexed by the decision. “We never said we weren’t Christians, we just said we weren’t a Christian band”, he claimed. “Then all of a sudden we were quite, quite evil”.

Despite the controversy surrounding the recall, overall sales of ‘Fallen’ are still high. It’s currently at Number Four in the Billboard album chart, and looks set to repeat its success in the UK.